Balerdi was named in Argentina's 26-man squad last week after consistent performances with Olympique de Marseille, with whom he made 36 appearances across all competitions.

Bangladesh produced a much better performance than previous matches yet fell short of defending their SAFF Women’s Championship title, suffering a 3-1 defeat to hosts India in the final at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao on Saturday.

India took the lead in the 42nd minute through Pyari Xaxa, but Ritu Porna restored parity in first-half stoppage time to ensure Bangladesh headed into halftime with the score locked at 1-1.

His inclusion in the squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026 represents a victory in a race against time, which began in August 2023 when he suffered a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle during pre-season with Alaves in Spain.

The final between defending champions Bangladesh and five-time winners India is scheduled to kick off at 7:00pm (Bangladesh time) at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, India.

"You have now escalated the deliberate and discriminatory treatment against Iran's national football team to its highest level," the embassy added.

France drew 35% of the vote in the May 11-June 5 poll to add a third star to their badge, edging out Spain on 31% - broadly in line with betting platforms like Polymarket - a result that would return Europe to the pinnacle of international football.

In three-time World Cup winner Argentina, soccer fever is unusually tempered less than two weeks before the 2026 World Cup kicks off in North America.

There is a particular silence that settles over the defeated.

"Lenny tore a muscle bundle today in the final training season and is ruled out because of this injury. Have a good recovery, we're thinking of you," the DFB said on Instagram.

Thomas Dooley could hardly have asked for a better start to life as Bangladesh coach.

FIFA said Friday it will allow fans to bring one "soft, plastic" disposable water bottle into World Cup venues after its ban on refillable bottles sparked an outcry.

Thomas Dooley's first match in charge of Bangladesh ended with a historic victory, but it was not only the result that left the newly-appointed coach impressed.

Lionel Messi has taken a step forward in his injury recovery and could play a few minutes in Argentina's upcoming friendlies before their World Cup opener, coach Lionel Scaloni said Friday.

Iran's football squad have been granted visas to enter the United States so they can play in the World Cup, US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack confirmed Friday.

Bangladesh will look to carry the momentum from their spirited semifinal victory over Nepal into today's SAFF Women's Championship final against five-time champions India at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao. The final kicks off at 7:00pm Bangladesh time.

Teenage Germany forward Lennart Karl may miss this summer's World Cup after sustaining an injury in training, coach Julian Nagelsmann said Friday.

A brace from veteran centre-back Topu Barman earned Bangladesh a historic 2-1 victory over San Marino at the San Marino Stadium last night, handing new coach Thomas Dooley a winning start to his tenure.

The FIFA World Cup is football’s grandest stage. Every four years, when the world's biggest sporting spectacle returns, even the game's greatest stars are willing to push themselves to the limit for a place in their national squad.

Fans from across the hill town gather with flags and jerseys to show support ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026